What a week!!!!! My goodness. Firstly, THANK YOU for all of the ornament kit orders! Absolutely fantastic — I am thrilled, and we are already very busy cutting felt, putting sequins and beads in tiny bags (with a 1/4 teaspoon), winding yarn, cutting rick-rack, proofing pattern pieces. It's all going well, and we will leave the orders open for several more weeks yet because we are strangely organized this time, and I think we can handle it. And yes, I will make downloadable PDFs of all three patterns available, but not for a few weeks yet. I will definitely let you know when those are ready — and thank you again!
The patio guys are almost finished building the patio, as you can see. It is sooooo pretty. I love it very, very much. This patio is in the back yard, just off of the studio. Remember Clover and Audrey's rock/step, in these photos? We saved the rock but now we have real steps (there are actually two of them there, even though the photo makes it look like there's one). Before we just had gravel, and it was really hard to move your chair back, which made it so that we never really wanted to sit there. When we moved in, there was a tiny wooden deck — not big enough to put a table for four and four chairs on, and no steps (so until the big rock came you'd have to sort of jump out the studio door). So this patio is ten years coming, and I know that we will cherish it. The weather has turned crazy — lots of downpours (the guys worked all day Saturday in a total downpour), lots of wind, but oddly warm (and oddly kind of icky — lots of spiders and SLUGS back there). I told Martha it is like living in a terrarium that someone is spraying water into and shaking. Blech.
I've been working pretty much non-stop on ornament kits, with frequent runs off to the plumbing store, the tile store, the lighting store — incredible how many things there are to pick out for two bathrooms. How many decisions to make, especially on a very tight budget. I'm actually very overwhelmed by it all — but now that certain decisions are getting made, things seem to be falling into place a little bit. I'm trying to keep it all straight and keep a look of utter bewilderment from my face as I talk to the contractor about stuff I don't understand. But you learn quick, don't you? It's sort of weird. Now I am obsessed with all of the remodeling shows, which I've never really cared about before. What is freaking me out about the Holmes on Homes show or that American Contractor contest show is how much they do wrong. OMG. That scared me. I just want to get to the part where I'm picking out new toilet-paper holders and towels. I fear we are a long ways out from those.
But it's all pretty exciting, I have to say. I'm kind of digging it at this point. At this point before anyone's actually chopped a hole in the wrong wall, or, you know. Like that.
That's beautiful, Alicia and Andy! Those tiles will be the foundation of so many gatherings filled with your love, enjoy!
just gorgeous. now all you need is an all weather tent so you don't have to wait to enjoy some outdoor meals with friends!
We're in the midst of major renos, too. It's chaotic, overwhelming and seemingly unending. Sigh.
Your new patio is beautiful.
I love your new patio. We plan to build one in the spring. I sent the link over to my husband right away and said, "I want to do this." Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh dear, I hope no one chops a hole in the wrong wall!!!!
New patio looks great! :)
Vivienne x
I really have craft room/patio envy. Everything is so beautiful.
The new patio is very inviting. Hang in there throughout this overwhelming process. It will be worth every moment of anxiety and exhaustion.
Ha! The chopping a hole in the wrong wall cracked me up. I mean, I know it would be terrible, but it sounded really funny.
The patio is gorgeous! And I just love your beautiful new header photo. This landlocked former California girl sure misses the ocean. *sigh*
That patio is gorgeous, you are going to love it.
And let me tell you there is NOTHING greater than the thrill of a brand-new bathroom. Sometimes I would go in there just to sit and absorb all the newness and shininess, knowing it would never ever be quite that pristine again. LOL
isn't remodeling so much fun? Lots of work, but lots of fun too. We're in an apartment now so remodeling isn't an option, but we did re-decorate the living room for fall this weekend. My husband was a little annoyed when I asked him to move the TV *again* but we were both happy with the results :)
gorgeous tiles, it'll be lovely. x
I'm following your progress reports with great interest, as we're about to start our own remodeling adventure. I am so nervous that they will do something horrible. Your results so far have been terrific so I am hopeful that ours will go well, too!
What a wonderful change from what you had before - this is patio is so permanent. I don't think you are "strangely" organized so much as amazingly organized! And I would venture to guess the brand new studio is the reason - I am in total envy of your studio. It's fun to stop by to take a look at it in your wonderful blog. Thanks for sharing. You and Andey are always an inspiration.
It is like living in a terrarium. Or a sponge. My husband walks around the house repeatedly asking, "is the heat on?" all day long. And I say no it is just freakishly warm outside. Not a fan. I want dry warm Indian summer now!
We are currently getting quotes to remodel our bathrooms too, so I love reading about your process. I feel like it will never actually happen, and we've lived with these awful bathrooms for 15 years! Keep sharing the process...I love it.
Isn't Holmes on Homes a little terrifying to watch? And yet it might be my new favorite show.
Love the new blog header photo!
Love the new patio too! Such a lucky girl you are! I'm addicted to the home improvement shows too and have decided when I win the lottery I'm shipping the Holmes on Homes guy and all his crew from Canada to Iowa to build my dream house.
Can't wait to see your before/after bathroom photos!
I don't know if anyone else mentioned this so here goes. Those wonderful FULL double rolls of toilet paper DO NOT FIT in the traditional wall inset holder!!! The roll can go in but when you reach and pull it is way too tight!!!! I found a holder that fits over the tank on the toilet. It also has a place underneath the roll I am using that holds a spare! It is great! I was looking for a holder that stood on the floor but found this and liked it better since my bathroom is small. Isn't it interesting that a toilet paper holder would bring me such glee?
Love the tiles of your patio. It will be beautiful (already is).
Love your new patio - what a great place to enjoy a drink or two & a good book! I'm married to a former contractor so I don't worry about getting the job done correctly, just whether he will do it at all! Weird weather you're having better call my father who lives over the border in WA.
Oh beautiful patio . . . no problems moving chairs around there. Fresh new bathrooms, definitely a treat. You will be so happy when it is all done. Don't be surprised if you start hanging out in there admiring the new fixtures, etc. Peace, Angela
Absolutely beautiful. The colors of the stone make me think of the skies you have up there in Oregon.
It looks just lovely! Send some of your rain to New Jersey! We are so parched here!
Your new "stone quilt" looks great and I'm sure all fluffy ones will love to lay on it when the sun comes out again!
Oh those colors of your patio - ♥ - I think once it was done I would lay on top of it and do a patio angel (like a snow angel but without the snow) but, of course, wait until the workers were gone.
Oooooh, the patio looks awesome! I love it! You know me, I was hoping to get in on a little of the ornament frenzy so tell me there'll still be some to put together when I'm there? The bathroom projects sound fabulous but a little scary- for that, I'll like being part of the picking out the towels activity!?